The aim of Wild Water Racing is to race your kayak/canoe as fast as you can down a stretch of white water rapids. The races are run as time trials. Competitors start at minute intervals and choose their own route down the river to pick the fastest line. It is an exciting and challenging discipline and if you have paddled white water you are ready to have a go.

Almost any type of kayak can be used, but specialist models have been developed (ie DR kayaks). These kayaks are designed to international size and weight standards racing craft, rudderless, very fast and shaped to cut through stoppers and waves.

There is a team event on the Saturday and the Classic race on the Sunday. The Team Race is a seriously fun event. Three person teams that includes, a male paddler, a plastic craft and a female paddler race together. Teams can be organised on the day. The Classic Race on Sunday morning is a solo time trial race.

Most make a weekend of it and it is a great opportunity to meet other paddlers or catch up with people especially at the DR Dinner held on the Saturday night. It is an event where the family can join in as there is a lot to do other than paddling in and around Bridgetown. It is an enjoyable good fun weekend where you can hone your white water skills, get to race more than once and hang out with other paddlers who love rapid racing too.

LOCATION

Bridgetown is approx 3 hours drive South of Perth (268kms via Bunbury) or even slightly less if you utilise the new Forrest Hwy between Perth and Bunbury - or 1 hour drive South of Bunbury (95kms via Donnybrook) or try the new Inland Loop through Dwellingup, Williams, Moodiarrup & Boyup Brook.

This beautiful region is the jewel in the crown of the South-West. Located literally in the centre of the South-West, visitors are close to forests and National Parks, wineries, heritage walks and trails, and some of the state’s most stunning heritage buildings. There is a good variety of accommodation and many things for family and friends to do while you go paddling.

We are very fortunate to have the support of the Wheatley family and many others in the town. Each year the Wheatley’s allow us to use their paddock for parking and without this generous offer we may not have been able to continue having the State Champs at Bridgetown. It was going to cost too much money to organise road safety for parking.

IMPORTANT STUFF

THE COURSE

The course includes 10 rapids over 7 km. It starts at the bridge in Bridgetown. There are no long car shuffles. There is good parking at the get out point (Wheatley Paddock) which is 600 meters downstream of the finish line - providing an enjoyable warm down.

ENTRY CATEGORIES

Wild Water K1 (WWK1)

Short Plastic (SP)

4.5m & under

Long Plastic (LP)

over 4.5m

Wild Water C1 (WWC1)

Wild Water C2 (WWC2)

Sundries

Mens Open, 35+, 45+, 55+

Mens Open, 45+

Mens Open

Mens Open 35+, 45+, 55+

Mens Open 35+, 45+, 55+

Mens Open

Womens Open, 35+, 45+, 55+

Womens Open 45+

Womens Open

Womens Open 35+, 45+, 55+

Womens Open 35+, 45+, 55+

Womens Open

Under 18

Under 18

Under 18

Under 18

Under 18

Under 18

Classes will be collapsed to constitute race classes. Open class must be constituted first. Prizes will be awarded to constituted classes, which require a minimum of 4 for male, and 3 for female and junior.

Junior (U18, U16) age categories: Your race age-category is your age on your 2011 Birthday year, eg. If you turn 18 in 2010 you can race in U18, if you turn 19 in 2010 then you can race in open. This is in-line with ICF age rules. U16 will be constituted if enough juniors enter

Juniors who have slalom or DR experience are allowed to enter, novices are not.

Age Limit

Any competitors under the age of 18 years, on the day of the race, must have a parent who completes the permission section on the entry form at registration

EQUIPMENT

Wildwater craft must meet the ICF specifications for dimension, weight, buoyancy and safety. All paddlers must wear buoyancy vests and helmets.

RACE ELIGIBILITY

As this race includes a kayaking leg in moving water with grade 2 rapids all paddlers must be proficient in white or moving water. Evidence can be supplied when you register on the day. All paddlers should have paddled the course before the classic racing either in previous years or during the event weekend.

New Junior entrant requirements.

Due to time restraints we are no longer supplying chaperone'safter the main race, If you are deemed to require a chaperone you must supply your own chaperone that is not competing in the race.(please contact organisers if you are unsure if you require a chaperone). As the organisers do not know the paddling ability of all paddlers we will be contacting the Slalom coaches for there recomendations re the need for a chaperone. Participants must be able to complete the course in under 60 minutes.

ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS

You register, pay and enter in Bridgetown

Saturday 27th August 12.30 - 1.30 pm for both races

Sunday 28th August 8.30 - 9.30 am for those who arrive in the morning

Please bring correct money as change may not be available.

TIMETABLE

Entry and Registration

Saturday 27th August 12.30 - 1.30 pm for both races

Sunday 28th August 8.30 - 9.30 am for those who arrive in the morning.

Saturday 27th August – Team Race

12.30 – 1.30 pm registration for both races at Race HQ

1.45 pm Pre Race Brief at Race HQ - All participants must be present

2.00 pm Race start if timers are ready

6.30 pm Presentations for team race at the DR Dinner

Sunday 28th August – Classic Race

8.30 – 9.30 am any late registration for the classic race at Race HQ

9.45 am Pre Race Brief at Race HQ - All participants must be present

10.00 am race starts if timers are ready

11.00 am food and drink

12.30pm Presentations and Prize giving. Person receiving the prize must be at the presentation to receive the prize.

PRESENTATIONS AND PRIZES

Team Presentations will be at the DR Dinner on the Saturday night

Presentation ceremony will commence at approx 12 30pm at The Cider, 43 Gifford Road Bridgetown. (1.3km from the centre of town on the Boyup Brook Road). You must be at the presentation to receive your award or prize.

Platters of nibbles will be supplied and many other chose to purchase lunch as well.

Winners & Placings

Prizes will be awarded to constituted classes, which require a minimum of 4 for male, and 3 for female and junior.

EVENT SPONSORS

Thanks again to Terry Bolland for getting behind the event. Prizes for place getters in the major classes will be donated by Canoeing Down Under. Please support our sponsors when possible.

DOWN RIVER DINNER

The Down River Dinner will be held at Lucieville Farm. Click here for Menu

Book by Monday 22_^nd August and pay at race registration on Saturday 27^_th August.

Spencer King is coordinating the bookings for dinner.

Please contact him at spencer@minstruct.com.au or 0407 732 227.

He will need your name and if booking for a group the name of each person in your group who will require a seat. You must book via Spencer to be able to attend the dinner.

PRACTICE OPPORTUNITIES

Most team up with other paddlers and head own the course once or twice. For those DR paddlers wishing to improve their racing lines or DR skills there should be a few experienced DR paddlers you will do some coaching runs on Saturday morning. Meet under the bridge mid morning.

For participants who have not done the course before or have boats with rudders a few volunteers will escort you down the course on Saturday before the team race. Meet under the bridge mid morning.

ACCOMODATION AND CAMPING

Many options available

http://www.bridgetown.com.au/accommodation.asp

SPECTATORS AND PARKING

We encourage family and friends to come along and cheer you on or shuffle you back and forward. Parking at the end of the rapid race is very tight with one small pull in so everyone parks in the Wheatley paddock and paddlers paddle past the finish line to the paddock get out point.